The Eddy County Patriotic Association will be hosting a Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday, May 30. The parade lineup will begin at 8 a.m. at the Carlsbad Municipal Schools Administration Building (408 N. Canyon). The parade will head down Canyon toward the Carlsbad Veterans Memorial Park. A short ceremony will take place at the park.
With this year’s theme tied into the 80th anniversary of the Bataan Death March, we’re especially proud that Carlsbad native Joanna Sieberg will serve as our parade marshal and guest speaker. Sieberg has been a dedicated supporter of veterans’ remembrances in our community. Her father, Charlie James, was the last surviving 200th Coast Artillery veteran living in Carlsbad when he passed away in 2011. Soon after, Joanna published a book recounting her parents’ experiences during World War II.
As a member of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society, Joanna was among a group of descendants who traveled to Japan in 2019 as guests of the Japanese government. She was able to visit the site of the factory where her father was held as a prisoner of war.
She has been a marcher in the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range for many years. Joined by her family, they have continued to participate virtually since her recent move to Albuquerque. There, as a member of the New Mexico Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society, she will now join in their efforts to preserve the story of the 200th and 515th for future generations.
Please note that the purpose of Memorial Day is to honor U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. We hope you will participate in this parade and ceremony to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
From the office of Mayor Dale Janway
